Ocean Path Accessibility Information

Ocean Path this way.

NPS Photo by Robyn Smyth

Explore vast slabs of pink granite, picturesque cliffs, and breathtaking oceans views as the Ocean Path takes you along the bold coast of Maine. The Ocean Path is a great way to access Thunder Hole and Otter Point from Sand Beach on a gradual hike. 

Getting to Ocean Path

Ocean path begins in the upper parking lot of Sand Beach, on Park Loop Road. There are three entrances: Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Point parking areas.

Sand Beach has five accessible parking spaces in the lower parking lot. A rugged staircase, or steep walk on the road, can be taken to the upper car park where Ocean Path starts.

Thunder Hole parking area is the most physically accessible entrance to Ocean Path. There are three accessible parking spots which lead to a ramp, a crosswalk, and the short section of Ocean Path that is paved.

Otter Point parking area has one accessible parking spot, but the trail in this section is more hazardous with roots and larger rocks.

Visitors can also use the fare-free Island Explorer to visit Ocean Path. The bus drops off and picks up at regular intervals throughout the day at the Island Explorer sign located in the right lane of Park Loop Road at Thunder Hole, and on the right of Sand Beach lower parking lot.

What to Expect

• Distance: 2.2 mile trail one way, 4.4 miles round trip. The trail is 0.7 miles from Sand Beach to Thunder Hole.
• Terrain/Safety: From Sand Beach to Thunder Hole the trail is a mix of concrete and packed gravel surfaces. The rest of the trail is gravelly and rocky with uneven surfaces. There are two staircases present 1.4 miles into the trail as the path climbs around a rocky cliff section. Watch out for steep drops into the ocean. Keep children away from the edge. Good footwear is recommended.

Hike Description

• The trail begins from the upper parking lot of Sand Beach. It can also be accessed from the Thunder Hole and Otter Point parking areas.
• Leaving from Sand Beach the trail consists of concrete and packed gravel sections that gradually rise over a hill providing an overarching view across the entire ocean path coastline.
• Gradually descend on accessible trail to Thunder Hole, an underwater sea cave that with the right conditions (2 hours before high-tide and in high winds) can produce thundering crashes heard up and down the trail.
• Continuing past Thunder Hole, the trail becomes uneven but remains gradual as it begins climbing up through a spruce/fir forest.
• Arrive at Otter Cliffs, 110-foot cliffs that mark the highest point along the Ocean Path. Climb up a granite staircase to a walkway that parallels the road to cross over the cliffs and descend another staircase on the other side.
• The trail continues down to Otter Point where granite slabs are surrounded by ocean on both sides. Many people return to Sand Beach from here but a couple hundred feet more the trail ends at Otter Cove with a small staircase and a stunning view across the Otter Cove causeway with Cadillac and Dorr Mountain in the background.

Tags: acadia national park, accessibility, ocean path trail, acadia, ocean view

Open Transcript  Open Descriptive Transcript

Transcript

This video shows a lined parking lot along the Park Loop Road. It is surrounded by trees, and to the side of the lot are several waysides, restrooms, a trash receptacle, changing areas, a water bottle filling station, and a bus stop. The video cuts to the area following the path that goes through the visitor amenities. The path forks in several directions. On the left, it continues along several hiking trails, while the right path leads to some stairs that go down to the beach.

Descriptive Transcript

This video shows a lined parking lot along the Park Loop Road. It is surrounded by trees, and to the side of the lot are several waysides, restrooms, a trash receptacle, changing areas, a water bottle filling station, and a bus stop. The video cuts to the area following the path that goes through the visitor amenities. The path forks in several directions. On the left, it continues along several hiking trails, while the right path leads to some stairs that go down to the beach.

Duration:

44.177 seconds

A video, accessible description and transcript of the Sand Beach parking lots in Acadia National Park. (February 2025)